Guest Editors
Joanna Kulisz
Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin
Dr. Kulisz is an environmental and medical biologist. She completed her PhD at the Medical University of Lublin, where she works as an assistant professor. Her scientific interests focus on parasitic arthropods, particularly ticks. Dr. Kulisz's research explores the interactions between ticks and the pathogens they carry, which are responsible for various diseases that can be transmitted to both animals and humans. She employs a combination of field studies and advanced molecular techniques to explore the complex dynamics of tick-pathogen interactions, aiming to understand the metabolic mechanisms that influence disease transmission. Her ultimate goal is to contribute to the development of effective methods for disease prevention and control, particularly in areas with high incidences of tick-borne diseases.
Aneta Woźniak
Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin
Dr. Aneta Woźniak holds a PhD in medical sciences, successfully defending her doctoral thesis in 2021. Her research focuses on the molecular, ecological, and field studies of ticks, particularly Ixodes ricinus and Dermacentor reticulatus. She investigates various aspects of tick biology, behavior, distribution, and the pathogens they transmit, aiming to better understand the role of these vectors in human and animal health. Her work combines laboratory-based molecular techniques with field research to explore tick ecology and epidemiology. Currently, she works as a professor at the Medical University of Lublin, where she contributes to teaching and advancing research in medical entomology. Her ongoing studies aim to provide valuable insights into tick-borne diseases and their broader health implications.
Zbigniew Zając
Department of Biology and Parasitology, Medical University of Lublin
Zbigniew Zając is a researcher at the Medical University of Lublin in Poland, specializing in parasitology and vector-borne infectious diseases. His primary focus is on the ecology, distribution, and pathogen profiles of ticks, particularly Dermacentor reticulatus and Ixodes ricinus. He has a keen interest in the seasonal activity patterns of these species and their roles as vectors in the transmission of infectious agents. Zbigniew has published his research in numerous peer-reviewed scientific journals and actively collaborates internationally to advance knowledge in parasitology and vector-borne diseases globally.
Collection Overview
Ticks and tick-borne diseases represent a rapidly expanding global health and veterinary concern, affecting humans, livestock, and wildlife across diverse ecosystems. With climate change, land-use shifts, and increasing human–animal interactions, the geographic range and incidence of tick-borne pathogens continue to rise. These diseases, caused by bacteria, viruses, and protozoa, pose significant diagnostic and therapeutic challenges, making this field critically important for advancing both public health and agricultural sustainability.
Despite substantial progress, major challenges persist, including incomplete understanding of tick biology and vector competence, limitations in early and accurate diagnostics, underreporting in endemic regions, and the emergence of novel or co-infecting pathogens. Additionally, gaps remain in surveillance systems, standardized methodologies, and effective control strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings.
This Collection aims to provide a comprehensive platform integrating method articles, original research, case reports and reviews. It will cover diverse topics such as (but not limited to) tick ecology and genomics, pathogen detection and molecular diagnostics, host–pathogen–vector interactions, vaccine and therapeutic development, surveillance technologies, and control strategies, including ecological and IoT-based approaches. Emphasis will also be placed on translational and interdisciplinary research, bridging laboratory findings with field applications.
By bringing together diverse topics, this collection will serve as a valuable resource for researchers, clinicians, and policymakers. It will facilitate standardization of techniques, highlight emerging trends, and foster collaboration across disciplines, ultimately accelerating advancements in the understanding, prevention, and management of tick-borne diseases worldwide.
Articles
Cities As Interfaces of Zoonotic Hazard Emergence: Development of the New York City Tick and Wildlife Urban Surveillance System
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2026
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Abstracts
Artifical feeding of the hard tick Amblyomma variegatum
Damien MEYER*1
1CIRAD